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Below is a list of Nara's most popular spots for cherry blossom viewing (hanami), including the typical timing for best viewing in the average year and japan-guide.com ratings. See also our nationwide list of famous cherry blossom spots.

About 1700 cherry trees are planted across spacious Nara Park, outnumbering the deer by around 500. One of the most pleasant hanami spots in the park is a large lawn encircled by cherry trees, a short walk southeast of Todaiji's main hall.

Quite a few cherry trees are planted on the large grounds of the former Heijo Palace, making for some pleasant picnic opportunities. Because the trees are quite exposed to the weather, they follow a blooming schedule which is typically a couple of days behind that of the trees in nearby Nara Park.

Wakakusayama is the grass covered hill behind Nara Park that gets lit on fire every January in the spectacular Yamayaki festival. Cherry trees are planted besides the hiking trail along the edge of Wakakusayama's main slope, allowing for some nice photos of cherry blossoms in combination with the city behind.

This event goes back 1,000 years. Buddhist priests draw up healing waters and run about with huge pine torches.

Priests at Todai-ji Temple, famous for its enormous statue of Buddha, confess their sins before the Eleven-faced Kannon enshrined in Nigatsu-do Hall, and also pray for world peace and a rich harvest for 14 consecutive days. This ritual, called Shuni-e, has continued since 752.

During this period, an event known as Otaimatsu is really worth seeing. Priests run to and fro along the corridors of Nigatsu-do waving huge pine torches. It is believed that if you are showered with these fire sparks, you will be protected from evil things.

The Omizutori, the highlight of this event, is performed early on the morning of the 13th. Water which only springs forth in front of the temple building on this very day is drawn up and offered to the Buddhist deities. This water is said to have special powers for curing all disease.

This spring water is believed to reach Todai-ji after passing underground for more than 10 days from Obama City, Fukui Prefecture. Even today, the Omizuokuri ceremony is performed on March 2nd at Jingu-ji Temple in Fukui Prefecture to see off the departure of the divine water.

Water that has been drawn up is poured into a pot the following day, and to this pot they add water taken from a different pot which has been continuously replenished for over 1,200 years - the resulting mixture being preserved anew.

Information

Event Information

Place: Todai-ji TempleDates: March 1st-14th Dates and functions are subject to change without notice. Be sure to check the latest information in advance.City: Zoshi-cho, Nara City

Naraiger, the Super Man of Nara, JAPAN Once upon a time, the Hero of Yamato was born deep in the holy mountain forest of Kasuga.

As an eco fighter, he fought against the ambitions of the 'pollution empire' to pollute

the rich natural Yamato Nara environment and conquer the earth thus protecting beautiful Yamato Nara and the earth. Littering, which causes environmental destruction and is a breach of social manners by self centered, selfish people, is intolerable. The hero uses 2 horns known as hyper horns to listen to people's cries for help! He also has “somen flash” and “shika sen flash” powers! However he needs to eat Radzukena which is a hyper food that he eats to recharge his strength and energy! Littering shall not be tolerated!!!